Universal operating device for a screen, such as a window covering

Abstract

An operating device for a screen comprises: a first operating mechanism with a first operating element which is connected to a first movement transfer element connected by means of a first transmission to a drive element for a screen shaft. The first operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the first operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a first rotational direction. The operating device further comprises a second operating mechanism comprising a second operating element which is connected to a second movement transfer element connected by means of a second transmission to the drive element. The second operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the second operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An operating device for a screen, wherein the screen is provided with a screen shaft, said operating device comprising:
 a drive element for the screen shaft, comprising: 
 a first operating mechanism comprising a first operating element wherein the first operating element is connected to a first movement transfer element connected by a first transmission to the drive element, wherein the first operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the first operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a first rotational direction, 
 a second operating mechanism comprising a second operating element wherein the second operating element is connected to a second movement transfer element connected by a second transmission to the drive element, wherein the second operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the second operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, wherein the first operating mechanism comprises a first pull cord and the first movement transfer element comprises a first cord reel for winding up the first pull cord, wherein the second operating mechanism comprises a second pull cord and the second movement transfer element comprises a second cord reel for winding up the second pull cord, wherein the operating device comprises a recoil spring, wherein the recoil spring mutually connects the first pull cord and the second pull cord, wherein the first cord reel has a first central passage for a pin of a screen shaft holder and the first cord reel is provided with a first collar extending concentrically around the first central passage, wherein the second cord reel has a second central passage for the pin and the second cord reel is provided with a second collar extending concentrically around the second central passage, wherein the first cord reel and the second cord reel are arranged adjacently and completely enclose the recoil spring, wherein the recoil spring is arranged between the first collar and the second collar and a first end of the recoil spring is directly connected to the first collar and a second end of the recoil spring is directly connected the second collar. 
 
     
     
       2. The operating device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first transmission is provided with a first unidirectional coupling and a first toothed wheel on the drive element for co-action with the first unidirectional coupling in an operational position, wherein the first transmission is further provided with a first activator for activating the operational position of the first unidirectional coupling, wherein the first cord reel is connected to the first activator, and wherein the second transmission is provided with a second unidirectional coupling and a second toothed wheel on the drive element for co-action with the second unidirectional coupling in an operational position, wherein the second transmission is further provided with a second activator for activating the operational position of the second unidirectional coupling, wherein the cord reel is connected to the second activator. 
     
     
       3. The operating device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to the pin wherein the first cord reel and the second cord reel and the spring are accommodated in the housing. 
     
     
       4. The operating device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first unidirectional coupling is provided with a central first body with a first opening and a number of flexible first arms and wherein the second unidirectional coupling is provided with a central second body with a second opening and a number of flexible second arms. 
     
     
       5. The operating device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the drive element is provided on an inner side with the first and second toothed wheels. 
     
     
       6. The operating device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first unidirectional coupling is arranged around a connecting bush for the drive element, wherein the connecting bush is arranged on the pin. 
     
     
       7. The operating device as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to the pin wherein the first cord reel and the second cord reel and the spring are accommodated in the housing, wherein the second unidirectional coupling is arranged around a connecting bush for the drive element, wherein the connecting bush is arranged on the pin. 
     
     
       8. The operating device as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to the pin, wherein the first cord reel and the second cord reel and the spring are accommodated in the housing, wherein the first activator and the second activator are arranged coaxially around the screen shaft in the passage of the housing. 
     
     
       9. The operating device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first activator is provided with a first flange with a number of first protrusions for bending the first arms outward in a radial direction of the first unidirectional coupling and wherein the second activator is provided with a second flange with a number of second protrusions for bending the second arms outward in a radial direction of the second unidirectional coupling. 
     
     
       10. The operating device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second toothed wheels have a straight toothing and are arranged adjacently. 
     
     
       11. The operating device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each of the second protrusions is provided with a securing element, wherein the securing element extends in a peripheral direction of the second flange for locking one of the flexible second arms. 
     
     
       12. An operating device for a screen, wherein the screen is provided with a screen shaft, said operating device comprising: a drive element for the screen shaft:
 a first operating mechanism comprising a first operating element, wherein the first operating element is connected to a first movement transfer element connected by a first transmission to the drive element, wherein the first operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the first operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a first rotational direction, 
 a second operating mechanism comprising a second operating element, wherein the second operating element is connected to a second movement transfer element connected by a second transmission to the drive element, wherein the second operating mechanism is configured to convert a linear movement of the second operating element to a rotational movement of the drive element for operating the screen shaft in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, wherein the first transmission is provided with a first unidirectional coupling and a first toothed wheel on the drive element for co-action with the first unidirectional coupling in an operational position, wherein the second transmission is provided with a second unidirectional coupling and a second toothed wheel on the drive element for co-action with the second unidirectional coupling in an operational position, wherein the first transmission is further provided with a first activator for activating the operational position of the first unidirectional coupling, wherein the first movement transfer element is connected to the first activator, and wherein the second transmission is further provided with a second activator for activating the operational position of the second unidirectional coupling, wherein the second movement transfer element is connected to the second activator, wherein the first unidirectional coupling is provided with a central first body with a first opening and a number of flexible first arms and wherein the second unidirectional coupling is provided with a central second body with a second opening and a number of flexible second arms. 
 
     
     
       13. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to a pin of a screen shaft holder, wherein the first movement transfer element and the second movement transfer element and the spring are accommodated in the housing. 
     
     
       14. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the drive element is provided on an inner side with the first and second toothed wheels. 
     
     
       15. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first unidirectional coupling is arranged around a connecting bush for the drive element, wherein the connecting bush is arranged on a pin of a screen shaft holder. 
     
     
       16. The operating device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first and second toothed wheels have a straight toothing and are arranged adjacently. 
     
     
       17. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to a pin of a screen shaft holder, wherein the first movement transfer element and the second movement transfer element and the spring are accommodated in the housing, wherein the first activator and the second activator are arranged coaxially around the pin in the passage of the housing. 
     
     
       18. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first activator is provided with a first flange with a number of first protrusions for bending the first arms outward in a radial direction of the first unidirectional coupling and wherein the second activator is provided with a second flange with a number of second protrusions for bending the second arms outward in a radial direction of the second unidirectional coupling. 
     
     
       19. The operating device as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a housing with a passage for connecting the screen shaft to a pin of a screen shaft holder, wherein the first movement transfer element and the second movement transfer element and the spring are accommodated in the housing, wherein the second unidirectional coupling is arranged around a collar around the passage of the housing. 
     
     
       20. The operating device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein each of the second protrusions is provided with a securing element, wherein the securing element extends in a peripheral direction of the second flange for the purpose of locking one of the second flexible arms.